SOUTH KINGSTOWN – University of Rhode Island undergraduate students Dylan Gregory and Cory Harrigan have launched a recycling company targeting the automotive industry, the university announced Wednesday.

The company, Scrap Specialists Recycling, placed 12 various sized dumpsters at several vendors around the state for no charge.

The students sell the recyclable materials after they have been collected and sorted, so the companies save fees for dumpster rentals and charges related to emptying.

“We both had a pre-existing passion for environmental issues, and when we took a class on energy economics, we saw that there was a lot of opportunity for energy savings through recycling,” Gregory said. “Recycling is something that needs to be done, and people shouldn’t be charged for it.”

Beginning last fall, Gregory and Harrigan partnered with auto-body business Crown Collision, which has three locations in the Ocean State.

“Crown Collision previously had to pay a monthly fee for dumpsters as well as a tipping fee each time the dumpsters had to be emptied, but now we have our dumpsters there, empty them as needed, and don’t charge them anything,” said Gregory. “They’re saving $200 to $400 per month per location, and we make our money by selling the recyclable materials.”

Through the success the partnership with Crown, Scrap Specialists started targeting other automotive companies. They currently have half a dozen customers.

“We see great potential with the automotive industry,” Gregory said. “As far as I know, we’re the only company targeting them and the only ones handling all the recyclables in one container at no cost to them.”

While the company isn’t profitable yet – everything they earn is invested back into the business to purchase additional dumpsters – the students hope to turn the Scrap Specialists Recycling business into a viable full-time company when they graduate.

Companies interested in contracting with Scrap Specialists Recycling can contact Gregory at 401-633-4112 or Dylan@scrapspecialists.com.

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